Wild'ness Retreat in Gauja Park - Wild Birch cabin

Our accommodations, 33 acres (13 hectares) in the heart of the Gauja National Park, offer stunning views of all the beautiful wilderness that is unique to the Gauja region. Each cabin and glamping tent is located within easy walking distance to all amenities of Wild’ness Retreat, yet retain the privacy and seclusion to truly disconnect from the stresses of modern life and reconnect with the natural world. The Gauja National Park is listed as one of the top 10 places to visit in Latvia! Tastefully decorated with a number of hand-crafted artisanal pieces, our accommodations reflect the natural environment that Latvia is so well-known for. Wild Birch features gorgeous pond and forest views and a loft bedroom, a newly renovated kitchen, bathroom, deck and so much more. Sleeps up to 4. Wild'ness Retreat And Studio offers: Three stunning cabins with gorgeous views in the heart of nature. Three enchanting glamping tents nestled in the Gauja forest offering a true, nature-immersive experience amidst deer and wild boar trails. Bike Rentals Swimming pond and fishing poles Barbecues Games and other fitness activities (yoga mats, badminton, board games and more) Hammocks, lounge chairs and other seating throughout the property Wild’ness shop onsite (gifts, souvenirs, repellents, snacks, local brewed wine and beer and so much more) Picnic baskets Bespoke experiences (traditional Latvian cooking classes, beer and wine tasting, seasonal herb and mushroom picking, guided bike trails, Romance & Family packages and more) A Guest Pavilion (when available) Special Events (weddings, traditional celebrations and more!) Free parking Bonfire/fire pit available for a fee. Sheep, deer, foxes, rabbits, wild boar, wild ducks, hundreds of frogs plus a couple of overly affectionate family dogs. But most of all - serenity, nature, fresh air in 33 acres of forest, pasture, ponds and bogs and natural animal habitat. Please see Wild'ness Collective website for more information. Wild'ness Guest Pavilion The Game Room (note: internet is strongest in the Game Room) 33 acres (13 hectares) of forest and nature for hiking A guest pond for fishing and swimming Public lake down the road with beach, fishing and swimming. We live at Wild'ness Retreat and Studio and are available any time you need. We also offer many classes and other cultural experiences on and off site including traditional cooking, craft beer tasting, herbal walks, Balsam cocktail tasting and more. However, each cabin and tent offers the utmost privacy and natural settings. Visit the famous and utterly delightful Straupe Slow Food & Earth Market, on the first and third Sunday of every month and buy fresh bread, specialty cheeses, cakes, hemp products and other featured artisanal crafts. Hiking, biking, golfing, bunjee jumping, cultural and artisanal events, skiing, boating, bobsledding, canoeing, hiking trails, biking trails, picturesque towns steeped in history, delicious restaurants, swimming, castles, gondola rides, boat trips on the Gauja River, local artisans and so much more – are all unique to this area called the region of Pargauja. In fact, the Gauja National Park is listed as one of the top 10 places to visit in Latvia! Bike or drive to charming Ligatne, cross the Gauja river on the Ligatne Ferry, visit an old Soviet bunker, hike through one of the nature trails, visit a number of artisans and take a workshop at the Ligatne Craftsmen House. Visit the historical and artisan-steeped town of Cesis. There you will find charming cobblestone roads, specialty shops, trendy cafes, bakeries and foodie boutiques as well as some of the best cuisine in Latvia. See how some of the most spectacular shoes you’ve ever seen are custom-made by hand in the shop called June9 and many other local artisans and artisanal shops, cafés, fine dining. Visit the opera or live theater at the Cesis Concert Hall or hike the Cīrulīši Nature Trails just outside town and finish your day with smoked deer heart and sheep salami on a platter at H.E. Vanadzins. Although we have a deep pond for swimming as well as a large lake nearby, we also encourage a visit to our favourite beach at Saulktkrasti on the Baltic Sea to experience the beauty which has been described as a 17 km long natural masterpiece. Or just chill at Wild'ness and simply take in the serene panoramic forest views and several natural ponds where you can swim, fish, or relax in a hammock or reading chair, nestled pond-side or in the quiet of the Gauja forest. Enjoy sipping on local craft beer and interacting with guests and playing cards in The Game Room or ride one of many bike trails with a packed picnic lunch including locally made wine and delicacies. We have acres of hiking at our doorstep, several back roads for cycling to nearby towns, slow food markets, fine dining restaurants and a stunning lake with beach just minutes away. Bring your bikes or rent one of ours, hike or bike to our neighbors and buy fresh farm-to-table eggs, meats, cakes, bread, cheeses, milk, cream or more – they’ll be expecting you! Whether you want to catch your meal for the night or simply sit back and enjoy all the peace and quiet, sanctuary and seclusion that Wildness Retreat has to offer, at Wild’ness Retreat we understand that every guest has their own unique way of interacting with nature. Whatever it is, if you are looking for a bespoke wilderness and authentically Baltic vacation designed by you, we can help guide the way. Whatever your idea is of the perfect holiday, you can be sure to find the perfect get-away experience that intrinsically reflects an experience of Latvia that you won’t have anywhere else. Bikes are available for rent. Buses run regularly from Riga (note: there is no public transportation from the Straupe bus stop to Wild'ness Retreat, it is a 7km bike ride and bikes can be taken on public buses). Riga – 70km Riga International Airport - 86 km Cesis – 24 km Straupe – 7 km Ligatne – 11km Saulkrasti/Baltic Sea – 49 km Wild’ness Retreat and Studio is an eco-friendly retreat situated in a natural, wilderness setting. Therefore, we cannot be held responsible or liable for any injuries or accidents sustained by the wilderness (including contact with poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac, ticks, bug bites, any animals including farm and wildlife) or any Wild’ness Retreat amenities. Guests will be required to sign a liability waiver upon arrival. Please bring warm clothing for cool nights - tents are not heated and cabin fire places are not operational in summer months. Firewood is available for a fee from the months of September-May.